65. Claudia's Final Letter from Salzburg

Excerpts from a letter Claudia wrote in Salzburg, Austria, on May 5–6, 1971, her final one before returning home to the United States. She tells of being in Prague, Czechoslovakia for the Communist May Day parade. She also mentions an ending tour she would be going on toward the end of May “to Amsterdam, Brussels and then a tour through Scotland and Wales and back to London” before returning to the United States.

Last weekend we went to Prague, Czechoslovakia for the Communist May Day parade—that was quite an experience! You could feel the communism a lot more there than in Yugoslavia or East Berlin it seemed like. There is no private enterprise so all the stores have everything for the same price, a lot of the buildings are quite similar too ’cause they’re all government constructed. There’s just very little feeling of individuality and it’s real sad!

. . . Two girls from Prague stopped and asked us if they could help—one is a teacher and the other is studying to become a teacher—it seems they’d spent two months in England and they spoke pretty good English—it was interesting to hear how they felt about things: We were talking about the May Day parade and they told us that no one likes to go but that they’re forced to and are checked on—they said it was like living in a prison, that we don’t know what it’s like to live under socialism and to be glad and appreciate what we have—I think I really did learn to appreciate a lot more during this trip, freedom is a precious thing—we asked them if they thought they’d ever be able to go back to England again and they said they probably never would—it was sad—but it was awfully interesting to talk to them!

The weather turned cold and gray and rainy for May Day and the parade, but it just seemed to fit. We went to watch the parade but somehow we ended up in it—there were soldiers and policemen all up and down the street and after a certain part they wouldn’t let anyone through without a pass and so you had to get in the street with all the other millions of people (that’s how they get more people in the parade, they are pretty sneaky!) All of Czechoslovakia was decorated for the celebration—everywhere we went there were millions of flags—plain red flags for the working people; red, white and blue flags for Czechoslovakia; and the big red flag with the hammer and sickle and a star for the Communist party—and they were all everywhere! Prague was just RED! and they had a big platform set up where all the VIPs and dignitaries would sit during the parade and speak to the people—above it were four great big pictures—of Marx, Lenin, the guy who’s head of Czechoslovakia now, and some other guy—it was really something!

i’m going to be leaving on the end tour Monday, May 24. Our end tour is to Amsterdam, Brussels and then a tour through Scotland and Wales and back to London.

This weekend we’re going to see all the big famous castles in Germany, including King Ludwig’s castle, the Mad King. It ought to be really jolly!! I can’t wait to see them—castles are fun!